It is interesting to hear so many say they would and have but only if using the 'whole' animal. I do think if you are going to use an animal for something you have to at least make use of all of it be it for food, clothing or magick.
I would also like to hear for any vegans and is it hard to avoid animal products in magick as in colourants and additives in things like incense and candles and the such.
Really interesting topic post :) Personally, I don't consciously use animal elements in my practices (blood, bones, skin, etc.) I usually get beeswax candles with herbal dyes, and other than that...The rest of my gear is animal free. Not necessarily by choice, but because that's just the kind of stuff I ended up getting. If I ever was to incorporate animal use into my practice, it would probably just be for offerings.
1. the candles i don't think would be an issue. But anything that is living... i wouldn't do it. If you need to kill to do the ritual, just pass on the ritual.
Good to hear from a few that have the conviction of not killing for the sake of a spell or ritual. Would like to ask AzureRa and Tombstone does that also include animal products as in say use of an item made of bone or hide of an animal or is it purely the act of the kill.
While it is possible to obtain animal products from ones that have died of natural causes it is very hard to do and there is an element of trust if say buying online.
An example would be I have a set of runes from the 1800s made from bone now I'm sure they are sheep or goat bone and I'm happy to have them in my collection as I'm sure the bone was a waste product of something else.
I've been away for some time and now I'm back I see a lot of new faces so I would like to ask this question to some of the new peeps or the old ones that didn't see it before.
Very interesting topic :) I personally see nothing wrong with the use of animals or their parts in a spell. Like others I suggest using all of the parts for something as wasting seems wrong to me. It does not matter if it is a plant, animal part or a piece of paper. Nothing should be left to spoil. To some animal sacrifice is wrong. However so is murder but people still freely do it. If the intentions/reasons are for the better then go for it.
Good to hear another person that is not into waste if going to use something Lightseer, it is something I try to keep in mind in both magick and cooking.
While I would not be able to kill an animal myself, I have no issues with using animal. On a related side note, I am fascinated with the notion of using live animals. When I have a place to set my altar up, I intent to put a fish bowl and fish as part of it
I will have to look into having animals on an alter AnDeireadh as not something I have seen much about. Only ones I have had on there are cats wanting to bat everything about while I try and keep tails out of candle flames.
